SURROUNDED by mountain ranges and desert light, Tucson is a place where heritage and innovation harmonize. Beneath 300 days of sunshine, the Old Pueblo reveals itself through adobe streets, timeless flavors, and a creative pulse that feels both deeply rooted and daringly modern.

Begin in the heart of downtown at the Tucson Museum of Art, where galleries blend Southwestern, Latin American, and contemporary works in elegant balance. Step back in time at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum — a living history site that re-creates the Spanish fort founded in 1775, the seed from which Tucson grew. Just beyond, the tree-lined campus of the University of Arizona buzzes with youthful energy, public lectures, and art performances that celebrate discovery and design.

Adventure here stretches from earth to sky. To the west, the domes of Kitt Peak National Observatory open their doors to stargazers from around the world, offering daytime tours and night-sky programs under some of the clearest skies on the planet. To the northeast, the scenic Catalina Highway winds upward to Mount Lemmon — a 9,000-foot ascent from sunlit desert to alpine forest, crowned with the cozy village of Summerhaven and famous homemade pie at the top.

Back in town, Tucson proudly holds the title of UNESCO City of Gastronomy — the first in the United States. Here, ancient Sonoran farming traditions meet contemporary culinary artistry. Taste Tucson’s heritage in handmade tortillas at local taquerías, mesquite-smoked flavors at rustic roadhouses, and elegant, desert-inspired cuisine at chef-led restaurants that celebrate local ingredients and Indigenous roots.

Shop the artisan boutiques of the Historic Presidio District, explore the creative stretch of 4th Avenue, and discover galleries and designer collections at La Encantada. When the day is done, relax with a craft cocktail beneath desert stars, or retreat to one of Tucson’s signature stays — the historic elegance of the Arizona Inn, the classic charm of Hotel Congress, the tranquil luxury of Hacienda Del Sol, or the timeless warmth of Lodge on the Desert.

In Tucson, the past and present don’t merely coexist — they dance. Between canyons and constellations, art and appetite, the city invites you to wander, taste, and discover why there’s so much to love in this southern Arizona town that is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the United States.